If you're close to other houses,
check out whether or not
you have noisy neighbors.

Shut Out the Noise and Test Your Site

Another way to shut out noise is to make sure your windows keep out more than the cold.

Just as pipes can leak water, windows can leak sound. Factors ranging from window design to installation technique affect the noise level in homes. In general, though, if you have energy-efficient windows, you'll be cutting down on the amount of sound entering your home.

Air absorbs sound; glass carries it. As a result, double or triple-pane windows absorb more sound waves than single-pane windows. The pane's thickness or the addition of low-emissivity coatings (a growing trend for energy efficiency) will not affect the level of noise control. By nature of their construction, wood and vinyl windows absorb more sound than aluminum models. Applying soft materials such as foam or caulking around the frame will increase sound absorption even more.

If the weather stripping runs completely around the edge of the glass, it will prevent sound from creeping in between the glass and the frame.

If you are serious about a building site, take the time to visit it several times during the day. Sometimes an area that is quiet at midday can become noisy at night or early in the morning. A site near a school is apt to be noisy before and after school and several times during the day.

Be sure to check out the activities of the neighbors. Auto buffs and do-it-yourselfers may ply their noisy hobbies well into the night. And check to see if any major construction projects are planned for the neighborhood. The roar of heavy equipment is enough to rattle the dishes right off the shelves.